Pulled the lower Allen plug on my tower section to grease it and a piece of dark green plastic was in the way enough where I can't get the grease gun on the grease zerk. What is it and I assume its not supposed to be there?

That's the lower Teflon sleeve. 3 things can be going on. 1) it wasn't cut at the factory, 2) it rotated, 3) it could have cracked/broke.

So what should I do? Can I get away with grinding it down a little to grease it then teardown next February after the season? I do know I operated the reverse once with the tension knob tight.

I'm pretty sure it was this way when I got it at 72 hrs. But the previous owner did break the knuckle off and had it repaired at a local pd dealer, maybe they didn't cut it?

I would drop the foot and check it out. It takes no time at all.

This is the bushing they are talking about Alex

The bushing goes between the aluminum sleeve and tower.

Can I get away with another 5-10 hrs run timer till the split? It should be fine the bushing is still there?

Does it have much play in it? If not, I would think so as long as it feels smooth turning it. But I'm going to be responsible.

did you turn the motor to see if the hole lines up?

mine didnt line up perfectly with the zerk.. I heated a old screw driver and melted the teflon

^ this is a good idea. When I changed mine I had this problem but used a hole saw with the drill bit removed. it was sketchy but worked.

The hot screwdriver worked great. Got the bushing out of my way and greased up. There's not much play in my knuckle, based on what I've seen on here not enough to worry about. I'm going to run it for the season and tear down after. I can only hunt weekends and none of my spots are that far.

I replaced my bushings and there is no grease fitting on mine. ??? I just have the one at the top and bottom but nothing in the middle. ???
If I turn out the plug I see the green bushing too but there's nothing behind it if I did mash a hot screw driver through it. I don't get it.
I'm thinking of sleeving mine because I do have a little play in it.

What year is your motor? 04-07 there is no grease fitting, all oil bath.

I guess I do have an older tower. ? Who knows what year that is. My clutch had an '07 sticker on the top of it.

Year model will be stamped on the side of the transom mounting bracket. Mine says PD10 for 2010.

I have never been able to get into mine. got the top and bottom and tried to get into it and rounded it out. It is a PD 2008 model. should I be worried about this?

image.jpg if it's worn when you pull it down like mine was put a stainless sleeve on it

I want one!!!